As part of our 'Rewind' local history series, we have taken a quick look back over the history of the Kenilworth Pound.

Next to 39 High Street, the Kenilworth Pound is now owned by Warwick District Council. The council took over the property following the death of the previous owner and former Mayor of Kenilworth Jack Bastock.

The site is currently open to the public with information boards and benches now installed.

'Pounds' date from the medieval period, the word comes from the Saxon 'pund' or enclosure; they were used to 'impound' stray animals until they were claimed by their owners.

Pounds were an open space surrounded by a wall or fence to lock the animals in. Pound-keepers would tax farmers whose animals strayed, or even take animals from farmers to settle debts and disputes.

The pound on High Street, and was one of two in the town - the other was triangular in shape and was located near the clock tower.

The remaining pound is known to date back to at least 1642 when John and Ralph Wagstaffe of Kenilworth were indicted for "breaking into the common pound and removing two mares and two nags, John's own property" according to magistrates records.

Pounds in general fell out of use by the 19th century.

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During the Second World War the site was used as an ARP Wardens Post, following which the Kenilworth Wardens Cricket Club was named and formed in 1943.

After a campaign led by the Kenilworth Civic Society, the pound in Kenilworth was reopened for public use in 2015. A plaque now adorns the wall to mark the reopening.

The campaign secured a £2,500 grant for the project from the Kenilworth Community Forum and a £3,000 grant from the Kenilworth Town Council in June 2014.